Shape memory alloy pipe coupling for underwater pipes

Abstract: A shape memory alloy pipe coupling in the present invention for joining two pipes (1), the pipe coupling comprising a tube (2) of a shape memory alloy, and a cover (3) of stainless steel having a sufficient thickness and having high corrosion resistance for covering the tube. The shape memory alloy is enclosed by the cover of high corrosion-resistant stainless steel, by which high-temperature water can be prevented from making the shape memory alloy brittle and from corroding and damaging the shape memory alloy particularly through galvanic corrosion even in the case where such high-temperature water exists in the inside or outside of the pipes.

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a shape memory alloy pipe coupling according to claim 1 and being adapted to pipe joining under water and particularly to a high corrosion-resistant shape memory alloy pipe coupling suitable as a pipe coupling used in a position where welding is hardly carried out. In the case where pipes are joined, welding is generally used. In the case of welding, however, not only a large space is required for a welding apparatus and for a worker but also a large time is required for welding work. In the case of a pipe coupling using a shape memory alloy, however, not only the required space is reduced but also the time required for pipe joining is shortened, compared with the case of welding. A Ti-Ni alloy is widely used as a shape memory alloy for such a pipe coupling, because the Ti-Ni alloy is excellent in shape recovery capability. The Ti-Ni alloy may be however inferior to stainless steel in corrosion resistance under water. As a conventional technique with respect to such a shape memory alloy pipe coupling, a pipe coupling for joining high-temperature water pipes in an atomic power plant is described in a paper by Hiroshi Horikawa, Yuichi Suzuki, Akira Horie, Shinji Yamamoto and Yuji Yasuda in Furukawa Denko Review, No. 88, pp. 23-28, June 1991. In the pipe coupling, a structure in which a stainless steel tube is disposed between a shape memory alloy and a water pipe is employed in order to prevent water from leaking through a pipe joint into the shape memory alloy. The pipe coupling is however applied only to the case where water flows in the inside of the pipes. On the other hand, JP-A 1-192543 discloses an anticorrosion shape memory alloy for repairing local cracking in a heat-transfer pipe for heat exchanger. In the JP-A 1-192543, use of the shape memory alloy under water is considered but the shape memory alloy is of the type in which a sleeve of an anticorrosion shape memory alloy is inserted in the inside of the pipe. JP-A 4-300495 discloses an Ni-P alloy or Cu alloy coating which is formed on a pipe coupling of a shape memory alloy by electroless plating for the purpose of preventing peeling or cracking even at the time of shrinking of the shape memory alloy by heating. Each of U.S. Patents 4,310,183 and 4,314,718 discloses the case where a cover is provided. In the U.S. Patents 4,310,183 and 4,314,718, however, not only the material for the cover is not clear but also the cover is provided not integrally. Among those conventional techniques, the technique described in Furukawa Denko Review No. 88, pp. 23-28, June 1991, has a structure in which the shape memory alloy tube may be in contact with water in the outside of the pipes though there is no consideration of the case where corrosive water is present in the outside of the pipes. Accordingly, when this technique is applied, for example, to pipes in an underwater apparatus or pipes in a reactor pressure vessel, that is, when the technique is applied to pipes in the presence of water in the inside or outside of the pipes, there is a risk that hydrogen attack, pitting corrosion, crevis corrosion, stress corrosion cracking and so on may occur in the shape memory alloy in use and that galvanic corrosion may occur between different kinds of metals at a contact area between the shape memory alloy tube and a stainless steel tube. Finally, there is a risk that the function of the pipe coupling may become lost because of the progress of cracking. Among the aforementioned conventional techniques, the technique described in JP-A 1-192543 has a structure in which a shape memory alloy tube is inserted in the inside of a pipe. Further, the tube is provided as a sleeve for repairing the cracking portion of the pipe but not provided as a pipe coupling. When the technique with respective to such a repairing sleeve is applied to a place where water flows in the inside of the pipe, there is a risk that the flow rate of water in the inside of the pipe may become insufficient because the size of a flow passage is reduced correspondingly to the provision of the sleeve. Among the aforementioned conventional techniques, the technique described in JP-A 4-300495 has no consideration of galvanic corrosion between different kinds of metals at a contact area between the shape memory alloy tube and a stainless steel tube in the case where the technique is applied to an underwater pipe arrangement in which water is present in the inside or outside of the pipe. DE 35 44 127 A1 discloses a pipe coupling which uses a tube made of a shape memory alloy and embodied in a flexible casing being resistant to nitric acid. Thus, it is possible to use this pipe coupling in chemical or nuclear plants containing a constituent of nitric acid vapor, whereby the flexible casing, on the one hand, protects the embodied shape memory alloy from being corroded by the nitric acid vapor and, on the other hand, allows for the shape memory alloy to freely change its shape. It is an object of the present invention to provide a shape memory alloy pipe coupling which is suited for coupling underwater pipes and in particular for coupling pipes in a reactor pressure vessel, where high pressures and temperatures are effective. The object of the present invention is solved by means of the features of the characterizing part of claim 1. Thus, in the present invention, a tube made of a shape memory alloy is enclosed by a sufficiently thick coating made of a corrosion-resistant metal covering the whole surface of the shape memory alloy tube so that a corrosive fluid such as water is not directly in contact with the shape memory alloy. Further, the corrosion-resistant metal of the coating is selected to be similar in kind with the material for the pipes in order to prevent galvanic corrosion. Further, the pipe coupling is formed so as to be disposed on the outside of the pipes. That is, according to the present invention, opposite end portions of the pair of unit pipes are tightened from the outside through the shape memory alloy tube covered with the coating so that the pair of pipes are joined to each other. There is provided a shape memory alloy pipe coupling comprising a tube made of a shape memory alloy and having a diameter which is shrunk by heating, and a cover for covering the whole surface of the shape memory alloy tube, the coating having an inner diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of unit pipes to be joined, the coating having an inner surface formed as a surface being in contact with the unit pipes, the coating being made of a material identical with the material for the unit pipes. In the shape memory alloy pipe coupling, heating means may be provided so as to be adjoined to the outer surface of the tube provided in the inside of the cover or the cover containing a double tube. In the shape memory alloy pipe coupling, the coating may have a thickness in a range of from 0.1 mm to 5 mm, in particular from 0.3 to 1.5 mm for covering the whole surface of the shape memory alloy tube, the thickness of the coating being sufficiently smaller than the thickness of the shape memory alloy tube. In the shape memory alloy pipe coupling, there may be provided a supporting tube disposed on inner circumferential surface of the shape memory alloy tube and having an inner diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of the pipes to be joined. In the shape memory alloy pipe coupling, there may be provided a supporting tube which is member member coming in contact with the unit pipes to be joined and a pair of tubes each made of the aforementioned shape memory alloy, covered with the coating and being provided substantially at opposite ends of the supporting tube in the axial direction. In the shape memory alloy pipe coupling, each of the coating, supporting tube and unit pipes to be joined may be made of stainless steel. In the shape memory alloy pipe coupling, each of the coating and supporting tube may be made of austenitic stainless steel containing carbon in a range of from 0.001 % by weight to 0.03 % by weight. In the shape memory alloy pipe coupling, the thickness of the tube made of a shape memory alloy may be selected to be in a range of from 2 mm to 20 mm. In the shape memory alloy pipe coupling, the thickness of the coating is selected to be in a range of from 0.1 mm to 10 mm, preferably in a range of from 0.5 mm to 5 mm, so as to be smaller than the thickness of the shape memory alloy tube so that the cover can be deformed in accordance with the deformation of the tube. According to the invention, since the shape memory alloy is enclosed by a coating having a sufficient thickness as a structural material, water especially high-temperature water is not directly in contact with the shape memory alloy. Accordingly, there is no risk of hydrogen embrittlement of the shape memory alloy though water contains hydrogen. Further, the shape memory alloy is prevented from pitting corrosion, stress corrosion cracking and so on, so that high reliability on the pipe coupling for connecting pipes is obtained. Further, there is no risk of galvanic corrosion caused by contact between different kinds of metals even in the case where there is a difference in corrosion potential between the stainless steel and the shape memory alloy because the member coming in contact with the unit pipes to be joined is the coating made of a material identical with the material for the unit pipes. Further, the shape memory alloy is prevented from crevis corrosion. As a result, reliability on the pipe coupling is improved. When the shape memory alloy pipe coupling is heated after it is mounted onto plant pipes, the inner diameter of the shape memory alloy tube is shrunk by several % so that tightening force acts on the unit pipes in the inside of the shape memory alloy tube. This function of the pipe coupling is fulfilled by this tightening force. In the case of a metallic material shown in Table 1 (which will be described later), the temperature range in which the shape memory alloy tube is shrunk by heating is from 30°C to 150°C. If an exclusive-use heater as means for heating the shape memory alloy tube to the temperature range is mounted onto the outer surface of the shape memory alloy tube, heating is made easy. When a temperature sensor such as a thermocouple is disposed between the exclusive-use heater and the shape memory alloy tube, the temperature obtained by heating can be controlled accurately. In case that the exclusive-heater is not disposed on the shape memory alloy pipe coupling, the shape memory alloy pipe coupling is heated by a heating means from the outside so that it can be restored to memorized original shape. As the heating means from the outside, there can be used: a method of covering only the coupling portion locally so as to be heated and heating by introducing a heated gas or a heated water vapor to the aforementioned portion; or a high frequency-heating method of heating only the coupling portion locally; or a method of heating by rolling a sheathed heater on the outer circumferential surface of the coupling portion; or a method of heating by contacting two halved cylindrical heater on the outer circumferential surface of the coupling portion. By selecting the thickness of the stainless steel coating to be sufficiently large, high corrosion resistance is obtained. It is however preferable that the thickness of the stainless steel coating is selected to be sufficiently small in a range in which not only the tightening function of the shape memory alloy hollow tube is effective but the corrosion resistance thereof is effective. That is, it is preferable that the thickness of the stainless steel coating is smaller than the thickness of the shape memory alloy tube and not larger than one fourth the thickness of the shape memory alloy tube in order to obtain a sufficient thickness. Accordingly, it is necessary that the thickness of the coating is not smaller than 0.1 mm in order to protect the surface thereof from corrosion. If the thickness is selected to be not smaller than 5 mm, the shrinking force of the shape memory alloy acting on the pipes to be joined is suppressed so that the function of the pipe coupling is lowered. Accordingly, it is undesirable that the thickness is selected to be not smaller than 5 mm. It is particularly preferable that the thickness of the coating is selected to be not larger than 1.5 mm, more preferably, in a range of from 0.3 mm to 1.5 mm. In the case where pipe material for underwater pipes in an underwater apparatus, a reactor pressure vessel, or the like, needs corrosion resistance, SUS304 type stainless steel, SUS316 type stainless steel, or the like, is used generally. A corrosion-resistant metallic material which is resistant against hydrogen attack, pitting corrosion, crevis corrosion, stress corrosion cracking, galvanic corrosion, etc. under water is required as the material for the coating of the shape memory alloy pipe coupling in the underwater pipe arrangement. As a corrosion-resistant metallic material adapted to this purpose, SUS304 type stainless steel or SUS316 type stainless steel is suitable. Particularly, SUS304 type stainless steel containing a small amount of carbon or SUS316 type stainless steel containing a small amount of carbon is suitable. That is, SUS304L or SUS316L containing carbon in an amount of not larger than 0.03 % by weight is suitable. As the shape memory alloy for the shape memory alloy pipe coupling, a Ti-Ni alloy containing Ni in a range of from 40 % by weight to 55 % by weight, and Nb in a range of from 8 % by weight to 20 % by weight is suitable in the point of view of shape recovery. As metallic materials by which shape memory effect is obtained in accordance with the martensite deformation, there are two types, namely, Ni-Ti type alloy and Cu type alloy. The Ni-Ti type alloy is superior in performance, especially in repeatability. A coiled spring of the Ni-Ti type alloy can be used in combination with a general-use spring to form a bias type two-way element. In this case, an R phase (rhombohedral structure) located between a martensite phase (hereinafter referred to as "M phase") having wide deformation temperature hysteresis in heating and cooling and a high-temperature phase (CsCl type body-centered cubic structure) is utilized. The R-phase deformation is excellent in lifetime characteristic against the heat cycle, though the quantity of shape memory obtained in the R-phase deformation is small. In the case of an Ni-Ti-Cu alloy having a rhombic structure in the M phase, the temperature hysteresis, the quantity of shape memory and the lifetime characteristic thereof are intermediate between the case of R-phase deformation of the Ni-Ti alloy and the case of M-phase deformation of the Ni-Ti alloy. By utilizing this performance, the Ni-Ti-Cu alloy can be applied to the field in which lifetime of from 10,000 cycles to 20,000 cycles is required. On the contrary, the M-phase deformation having wide temperature hysteresis is applied to a coupling, a connector, etc. using a one-way shape memory effect. Because the M-phase deformation temperature of an Ni-Ti-Fe shape memory alloy pipe coupling is considerably lower (about -150°C) than the environmental temperature, the Ni-Ti-Fe shape memory alloy pipe coupling is called "low-temperature shrinkage type". According, the pipe coupling is put in liquid nitrogen for safekeeping in a condition in which the inner diameter of the pipe coupling is widened at a low temperature. The temperature hysteresis of an Ni-Ti-Nb alloy is more wider compared with the case of M-phase deformation of the Ni-Ti alloy. By utilizing this alloy, there is obtained a heat shrinkage type pipe coupling having shape memory temperature of not lower than room temperature and capable of being put at ordinary temperature for safekeeping. As a method for covering the surface of the shape memory alloy tube with a corrosion-resistant metallic material, there can be used: a structure in which an accommodating space is provided between respective tube portions of a double tube with the corrosion-resistant metallic material; or a method of forming a delicate coating of SUS304L or SUS316L containing carbon in an amount of not larger than 0.03 % by weight on the surface of the shape memory alloy by using plasma powder deposit welding, spattering deposition, etc.; or a method of bringing a coating of SUS304L or SUS316L containing carbon in an amount of not larger than 0.03 % by weight in close contact with the shape memory alloy by high-temperature pressure welding based on hot isostatic pressing. The material for the coating is selected from ferrite type stainless steel, austenite type stainless steel, Ni-group alloy, copper alloy, titanium alloy, etc. in accordance with the environment. In the case of an underwater pipe arrangement in an underwater apparatus, a reactor pressure vessel and so on, stainless steel containing C of 0.03 % by weight or less, Si of 1.0 % by weight or less, Mn of 2.0 % by weight or less, P of 0.04 % by weight or less, S of 0.03 % by weight or less, Ni in a range of from 12 % by weight to 14 % by weight, Cr in a range of from 16 % by weight to 18 % by weight, Mo in a range of from 2 % by weight to 3 % by weight, and N of 0.12 % by weight or less is suitable from the point of view of corrosion resistance against water. Particularly when the C content is selected to be not larger than 0.03 % by weight, sensitivity for stress corrosion cracking is desirably lowered in the heat influence portion after welding particularly in high-temperature and high-pressure water. Because strength decreases as the C content decreases, addition of N in an amount of not smaller than 0.04 % by weight is required for compensating the lowering of strength. Because a large amount of N spoils toughness, the N content is preferably selected to be not larger than 0.12 % by weight. As described above, according to the present invention, the pipe coupling using a shape memory alloy for the purpose of connecting unit pipes to each other in a plant has a structure in which a tube of a shape memory alloy is enclosed by a coating of a material such as stainless steel identical with the material for the unit pipes. Accordingly, there is no risk that embrittlement, corrosion and damage of the shape memory alloy tube may be caused by high-temperature water even in the case where high-temperature water is present in the inside and outside of the underwater pipe arrangement. Particularly there is no risk of galvanic corrosion. Further, because the pipe coupling is mounted onto the outside of the plant pipes, there is no risk of disturbing the flow of high-temperature water in the plant pipes. Further, a heater is mounted onto the surface of the shape memory alloy tube or onto the outer surface of the coating thereof to thereby provide an effect that the shape memory alloy tube can be heated easily. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figs. 1 through 6 are sectional views showing examples of a pipe coupling of a shape memory alloy according to the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiment 1 Fig. 1 is a sectional view showing the case where a pipe coupling of a shape memory alloy connects two unit pipes 1 of stainless steel. High-temperature water is present in the inside and outside of the unit pipes 1. The shape memory alloy pipe coupling comprises a tube 2 made of a shape memory alloy containing Ni of 47.2 % by weight, Nb of 14.4 % by weight and the balance Ti, and a stainless steel coating 8 which serves as a cover for covering the tube 2. The stainless steel for the coating 8 is composed of chemical components in weight proportion shown in Table 1 and resistant against corrosion in high-temperature water. In this embodiment, the coating 8 is formed on the surface of the shape memory alloy tube 2 by a plasma deposition welding method using stainless steel powder. After the formation of the coating 8, the shape memory alloy tube 2 is subjected to solution heat treatment at 900°C and then subjected to outward expanding treatment. An Ni-Ti-Nb alloy and an Ni-Ti alloy are produced by electron beam melting and vacuum high-frequency melting, respectively. After hot working, a testing sample is subjected to solution treatment for one hour at 1223K in vacuum. The transformation temperature of an alloy material may be measured by differential scanning calorimetry. Fe C Si Mn P S Ni Cr Mo N the balance 0.01 0.2 1.2 0.01 0.01 13.9 17.7 2.5 0.09 Table 3 shows corrosion resistance in the case where a test of leaving a sample under high-temperature water of 300°C and 100 kgf/cm 2 for 500 hours is given to shape memory alloy pipe couplings provided in accordance with various kinds of plant pipings being different in size. As shown in Table 3, hydrogen embrittlement and galvanic corrosion are observed in the case of a conventional shape memory alloy pipe coupling, whereas hydrogen embrittlement and galvanic corrosion are not observed in the case of shape memory alloy pipe couplings according to the present invention. Further, in the shape memory alloy pipe couplings according to the present invention, pitting corrosion, crevis corrosion, stress corrosion cracking and so on are not observed. In this embodiment, there arises an effect that the tightening force of the shape memory alloy tube 2 is increased, because the thickness of the coating 8 in this embodiment can be made smaller than the thickness of a casing for enclosing the shape memory alloy. piping size nominal diameter outer diameter (mm) thickness of shape memory alloy (mm) thickness of coating (mm) occurrence of hydrogen embrittle ment occurrence of galvanic corrosion P 1/4 B 13.8 6 0.5 no no 1/2 B 21.7 7 0.7 no no 1 B 34.0 8 0.9 no no 1-1/2 B 48.6 9 1.1 no no 2 B 60.5 10 1.3 no no C 1-1/2 B 48.6 8 no coating yes yes P: Present Invention C: Conventional one Because, as shown in Table 3, the thickness of the coating 8 is small, there is a risk that the coating 8 may be broken at the joint portion of the unit pipes 1 in the case where the unit pipes 1 vibrate. As shown in Fig. 2, therefore, a supporting tube 15 of stainless steel composed of chemical components in weight proportion shown in Table 1 is preferably disposed between the coating 8 and the unit pipes 1 in order to prevent the coating 8 from breaking. Embodiment 2 Fig. 3 is a sectional view showing the case where a pipe coupling of a shape memory alloy connects two unit pipes 1 of stainless steel. High-temperature water is present in the inside and outside of the unit pipes 1. The shape memory alloy pipe coupling has a supporting tube 15 of stainless steel, and two tubes 2 of a shape memory alloy containing Ni of 47.2 % by weight, Nb of 14.4 % by weight and the balance Ti. The shape memory alloy tubes 2 are isolated from high-temperature water in the outside of the pipes 1 by coatings 8 which cover the tubes 2 respectively. As material for the coatings 8, stainless steel composed of chemical components shown in Table 1 and being resistant against corrosion in high-temperature water is used. In this embodiment, the coatings 8 are formed on the respective surfaces of the shape memory alloy tubes 2 by a plasma buildup welding method using stainless steel powder composed of chemical components shown in Table 1. After the formation of the coatings 8, the shape memory alloy tubes 2 are subjected to solution treatment at 900°C and then subjected to outward expanding treatment. After the shape memory alloy tubes 2 are subjected to the outward expanding treatment, the shape memory alloy tubes 2 covered with the coatings 8 respectively are mounted onto the stainless steel supporting tube 15 thus to complete the piping coupling. In the shape memory alloy pipe coupling in this embodiment, like Embodiment 2, hydrogen embrittlement, galvanic corrosion, pitting corrosion, crevis corrosion, stress corrosion cracking and so on are not observed. Fig. 4 shows a modification of the embodiment shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 1 shows the case where a heater (not shown) for heating the shape memory alloy tube 2 is provided separately from the pipe coupling, whereas Fig. 4 shows the case where a heater is unitedly mounted to the outer surface of the coating. By the structure in which the heater is unitedly mounted to the outer surface of the coating, pipe connection in a narrow space is made easy. Embodiment 3 Fig. 5 is a sectional view showing the case where a pipe coupling of a shape memory alloy connects two pipes. In this embodiment, a supporting tube 15 made of an alloy shown in Table 1 is used in the inner circumferential side of the pipe coupling. Three convex portions 11 are formed in each of opposite sides of the piping so that the convex portions are provided on the inner circumferential surface of the supporting tube 15 in accordance with concave portions provided in the pipes. The convex portions 11 are provided so that the pipes can be connected to each other enough tightly to prevent both loosening of the pipes in the axial direction and leaking of a medium into the pipes. Further, in this embodiment, the pipe coupling has a structure by which the pipes are joined tightly to each other through the concave portions of the pipes and the convex portions 11 of the pipe coupling. Accordingly, the pipe coupling is formed so that force does not directly act on the outer circumferential surfaces of the pipes 1 and the inner circumferential surface of the pipe coupling 1. By such a structure, a fluid such as liquid, gas, etc. is prevented from leaking to the outside even in the case where leaking of the fluid occurs at the joint portion of the pipes. That is, the pipe coupling has a structure in which the respective ends of the convex portions 11 of the pipe coupling are plastically self-deformed or has a structure in which the respective ends of the convex portions 11 are arranged at a slightly sharp angle so as to be self-pushed into the concave portions of the pipes 1. The degree of hydrogen embrittlement, the degree of corrosion and the degree of stress corrosion cracking in this embodiment are the same as those in the previous embodiment. Furthermore, as a result of a leaking test using air pressure of 0.5 MPa and as a result of a leaking test using water pressure of 30 MPa, there is no leaking observed. Embodiment 4 Fig. 6 is a sectional view showing the case where pipes are joined to each other by using two pipe couplings of a shape memory alloy. This embodiment has the same structure as in Embodiment 3, except that two pipe couplings are used in this embodiment. The pipe coupling are disposed in opposite sides of the piping so as to be symmetric to each other in the left and right. Also in this embodiment, the degree of hydrogen embrittlement, the degree of corrosion and the degree of stress corrosion cracking are the same as those in the previous embodiment.

Claims: A shape memory alloy pipe coupling comprising: a tube (2) made of a shape memory alloy, the shape memory alloy being of the type that the diameter of the tube can be shrunk by the application of heat, a cover for covering the complete surface of said tube (2), said cover being of a corrosion resistant metal material, wherein said cover is a coating (8) which contacts the complete surface of the tube (2), the thickness of said coating is sufficiently large as to provide for corrosive protection of the shape memory alloy in underwater use, and sufficiently small as to avoid an undue suppression of the shrinking force of the shape memory alloy in order to maintain the tightening function of the coupling. A shape memory alloy pipe coupling according to claim 1, characterized in that a thickness of said coating (8) is selected to be in a range from 0,1 mm to 5 mm. A shape memory alloy pipe coupling according to claim 1, characterized in that a thickness of said coating (8) is selected to be in a range from 0,3 mm to 1,5 mm. A shape memory alloy pipe coupling according to claim 1, characterized by further comprising a supporting tube (15) provided at an inner circumferential surface of said coating (8). A shape memory alloy pipe coupling according to claim 1, characterized by further comprising heating means (10) provided on an outer circumferential surface of said coating (8). A shape memory alloy pipe coupling according to claim 1, characterized by comprising two sets of said tube (2) and said coating (8); and a supporting tube (15) provided in an inner circumferential surface of said coating (8), said two sets of said tube (2) and said coating (8) being disposed respectively at opposite ends of said supporting tube (15). A shape memory alloy pipe coupling according to claim 4 or 6, characterized in that convex or concave portions are provided in an inner circumferential surface of said supporting tube (15) in accordance with concave or convex portions (11) provided on opposite sides of an outer circumferential surface of a joint portion of pipes (1) to be joined, so that said pipes (1) to be joined are fitted to said supporting tube (15) through engagement of the concave and convex portions (11) thereof. A shape memory alloy pipe coupling according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that each of said coatings (8) are made of stainless steel. A shape memory alloy pipe coupling according to claim 8, characterized in that said coating (8) is made of austenitic stainless steel containing carbon in a range of 0,001% by weight to 0,03% by weight. A shape memory alloy pipe coupling according to claim 4 or 6, characterized in that each of said coating and said supporting tube (15) are made of stainless steel. A shape memory alloy pipe coupling according to claim 10, characterized in that each of said coating (8) and said supporting tube (15) is made of austenitic stainless steel containing carbon in a range from 0,001% by weight to 0,03% by weight. A shape memory alloy pipe coupling according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that a thickness of said tube (2) made of a shape memory alloy is selected to be in a range of 2 mm to 20 mm.

Inventors: HATTRI SHIGEO, KATO TAKAHIKO, KONDO YASUO, MORI TAKANOBU, SATOH HIROSHI, YANAI YOSHIMI, HATTRI, SHIGEO, KATO, TAKAHIKO, KONDO, YASUO, MORI, TAKANOBU, SATOH, HIROSHI, YANAI, YOSHIMI
Applicants: HITACHI LTD, HITACHI, LTD.
Application year: 1994
Main classification: F16L13
IPC codes: F16L13